The broadloom in my living room and dining room isn't looking great in spots. It's low pile, and I would say from the early '90s. We have pets and a path around the coffee table where we've walked over the years. I've noticed on Pinterest different rooms with rugs on top of broadloom. Will this look terrible if our carpet is old? I think we need to have a rug in the dining area, too. Will we be throwing good money after bad? We aren't ready to remove the wallto-wall broadloom yet as there are plywood floors beneath. I'd appreciate your advice. If you feel rugs are a good idea, should I use the same rug in the dining room as in the living room?

Thanks and kind regards, Alexandra

Dear Alexandra,

You can absolutely layer a rug on top of your old wall-to-wall carpet. Though you'll want to think about putting the money toward having your carpet replaced, because it's from the '90s. People tend to get sneezy around rugs from the '90s, especially if the fibres have started to shed; and, if you've steam cleaned it over the years, there is the possibility of the underpadding being mouldy. Unlike in the '70s and '80s, wall-towall carpet today is reserved more for bedrooms and basements instead of the entire house, unless it's wool, because so many of us suffer from allergies. I can recall as a kid stepping on a meatball on my best friend's carpeted kitchen floor. Even at the tender age of eight, I knew this was unsanitary.

You won't go wrong using the same rug for both your living and dining area. Two different rugs will work, but the pattern and colour should be harmonious with each other and with the fabrics in the space. A foolproof way to select your rugs is to make sure the colour of your existing broadloom can be found in your new rug.

In the living area, it is best to have an entire piece of furniture on the rug, but you can get away with at least the front legs of your sofa and armchairs on it. A living room rug that accommodates only the coffee table is too small. In the dining room, make sure the carpet is large enough that when the dining chairs are pulled away from the table, they're still on the rug.

If you have a lot of pattern in your home, consider a two-toned rug. Generally, geometric patterns with medallions, diamonds and fretwork will keep your home from feeling like a carnival tent.

You won't be throwing good money after bad unless you buy a rug you don't really love. Even though this is a temporary solution (which may last a few years), buy your rugs as though you will have them for a long time. Disposable decorating is just a waste of money. These days I'm especially loving cotton flat-weave rugs. They're less expensive than wool and silks and look great when layered on broadloom. They're also reversible, so if you feel like having a fresh pattern - or maybe a meatball rolls off the table onto it - you can just turn it over.

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